The Car’s the Star in This Modern Home in Bulgaria

I/O Architects completed the design of Pagoda House in Sofia, Bulgaria. The two-level, single-family home is perched on a hill, offering panoramic views of the city on one side and the mountains on the other.

“The client, a Bulgarian investment banker, had two important requirements,” the architects said. “He wanted a home in which he could proudly showcase his classic car while comfortably housing his small family.”The main level accommodates the living areas — living room, dining room, kitchen and children’s area — as well as three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Partially embedded into the mountain slope, the lower level of the modern home consists of utility rooms.

“By keeping a simple but carefully selected palette of materials and adding tasteful touches in the generous space, we have created a cozy, family-oriented home that feels open, contemporary and comfortable,” the architects said.

The concrete flooring and black metal framing were inspired by the prized vehicle, a vintage Mercedes, which is showcased in a dedicated atrium. [Information provided by I/O Architects; photography by Assen Emilov]